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Barn Dance

10 Feb 03 - 10:44 AM (#886779)
Subject: "Barn Dance"
From: Compton

Here's something to bring from the recesses of the mind. How many out there can remember a time on the BBC when they (incredibly!) televised Barn Dancing! The Caller I remember was Bill Cain and it was the earliest sitings of Steve Benbow, Val Doonican (!!) and the (geordie) Barry Sinsters. Can't remember the band (Think they were North Eastern. In connection with a recent thread about BBC commitment, It's a bit of a stunner to think this used to be BBC output,I would suggest in the early sixties. Any 50 something Mudcatters remember this programme and long for the "good old days" ..when folk WAS on the telly.

11 Feb 03 - 04:54 AM (#887442)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: Skipper Jack

I remember on the radio that they had a barn dance feature.

You could hear the caller and the stamping of feet, and the ceilidh band of course - or should I say country dance band? There was the general hub=bub of noise of what, I presume was a live recording?

Not quite the same impact of a televised show!

12 Feb 03 - 06:53 AM (#888386)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: GUEST

Did Brian Redhead do the Intructions!..Dont know the name of the band though!

12 Feb 03 - 05:40 PM (#888919)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: GUEST,Song and Dance Man

What,Dancing on the Telly...what next the BBC will be having Folk Singing on next!!...When the Litter of pigs fly over.

12 Feb 03 - 07:45 PM (#889015)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: Snuffy

Skipper Jack, Radio2 ran two series of Barn Dance at 8.03pm on Wednesdays Oct-Dec 1993 and Mar-Apr 94. Featured bands in both series were:

  1. Hookes Law, caller Pete Coe
  2. The Mellstock Band, caller Dave Townsend
  3. The Dartmoor Pixie Band, caller Sarah Vanstone
  4. Geckoes, caller Keith Chandler
  5. High Level Ranters, caller Hugh Rippon
  6. Peeping Tom, caller Eddie Upton

12 Feb 03 - 08:17 PM (#889031)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: Mr Happy

0 WIRRAL COMMUNITY NARROWBOAT TRUST
(Registered Charity No. 1084432)

"VALENTINE'S CEILIDH DANCE"

FRIDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2003

at 7-30pm

OCTEL CLUB, BRIDLE ROAD
BROMBOROUGH, WIRRAL

with

Band: "TWO LEFT FEET"
(plus interval entertainment)

Admission by ticket only (£6) obtainable from JOHN OWEN on
0151-678-9902 or
mobile no. 07967-638186

13 Feb 03 - 06:32 PM (#889848)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: TheBigPinkLad

The original show was from BBC Newcastle I believe and was called What Che'or Geordie -- a comedy/variety show. Ran during the late 50s early 60 I think. I have a recording of The Little Waster, Bobby Thompson that includes a snippet of the Barry Sisters singing a tub-thumping number reminiscent of "Dance the Fling at Marlow" where the girls say back and forth in broad Geordie "D'yer like the music?" "Aye, it's better'en aal this rock 'n roll."

14 Feb 03 - 01:52 PM (#890443)
Subject: RE: Barn Dance
From: Compton

Good memeory, BigPinkLad, the title doesn't ring any bells but the age is about right. Still can't help thinking it was Barn Dance!! (maybe wrong) Steve Benbow's Protege ought to be able to find out...if he reads this. If it was a totally Geodie thing, what was Val Doonican and Steve Benbow doing onit...Good thinking, Snuffy, but it was done some years before the Pete Coe , Eddie Upton thing with the great living caller, Dick Witt doing it with the appalling Greensleeves (sing-along) Band. ..
...Dick Witt, the Greatest Living (?) Caller....DISCUSS!